imported>Ken Tony: Link corrected

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{{short description|First Malayalam film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Vigathakumaran
| image = Vigathakumaran.jpg
| caption = A scene from the film
| native_name = {{Infobox name module|ml|വിഗതകുമാരൻ}}
| director = [[J. C. Daniel]]
| producer = [[J. C. Daniel]]
| writer = [[J. C. Daniel]]
| starring = [[J. C. Daniel]]<br>[[P K Rosy|P. K. Rosy]]
| music =
| cinematography =
| editing = J. C. Daniel Nadar
| studio = Travancore National Pictures
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|1928|11|07}}
| runtime =
| country = [[India]]
| language = [[Malayalam]] (Silent)
| budget = 4 lakh (British Indian Rupee)
| gross =
}}

'''''Vigathakumaran''''' ({{lang-en|The Lost Child|italic=yes}}) is a 1928 Indian [[silent film]] written, produced and directed by [[J. C. Daniel Nadar]]. He also played the role of hero in the movie. A social drama, ''Vigathakumaran'' was the first [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam feature film]] and [[J. C. Daniel]] is considered as the father of Malayalam film industry for this work. This movie is also credited as the first Indian social drama feature film. No known copy of the film exists, making it a lost film.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/How-Vigathakumaran-was-lost-to-history/articleshow/18505051.cms |title = Harris Daniel: How 'Vigathakumaran' was lost to history | Kochi News - Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rF8ABAAAQBAJ&pg=PA1862 |title = Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema|isbn = 9781135943257|last1 = Rajadhyaksha|first1 = Ashish|last2 = Willemen|first2 = Paul|date = 10 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pc1DCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA116 |title = Directory of World Cinema: INDIA|isbn = 9781841506227|last1 = Bingham|first1 = Adam|date = 29 July 2015}}</ref>

== Plot ==
Chandrakumar, son of a rich man in [[Travancore]] is kidnapped by the villain Bhoothanathan to [[Ceylon]]. The efforts of his parents to find him do not succeed and Chandrakumar is brought up as a labourer in an estate. The estate owner, who is British, takes a liking to him and in time, Chandrakumar rises to the post of Superintendent. At this time Jayachandran, a distant relative of Chandrakumar happens to come to Ceylon. Incidentally, he is robbed of all his belongings by Bhoothanathan. Stranded, he gets acquainted with Chandrakumar and they become close friends. They come to Travancore where Chandrakumar's sister falls in love with Jayachandran. Meanwhile, Bhoothanathan attempts to kidnap her and the duo's timely intervention saves her. A scar on the back reveals Chandrakumar's identity which eventually leads to the happy reunion of the family.

== Cast ==
* [[J. C. Daniel]] as Jayachandran
* [[P K Rosy|P. K. Rosy]] as Sarojini
* Johnson as Bhoothanathan
* Sunder Raj as Chandrakumar

== Production ==
J.C. Daniel developed a passion for cinema while completing his higher education in Travancore.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/against-all-odds-how-jc-daniel-father-malayalam-cinema-made-his-first-and-last-movie-57937 |title = Against all odds: How J.C. Daniel, Father of Malayalam cinema, made his first and last movie|date = March 2017}}</ref> He was interested in [[martial arts]] and was an expert in chelambatam, the traditional martial art of southern [[Travancore]]. He published an English book titled ''Indian Art of [[Fencing]] and Sword Play'' in 1915, when he was 15. Daniel was well aware of the scope of cinema as a public medium. He wished to popularise chelambatam by harnessing the popular influence of cinema. At that time the common mass of Kerala were not even aware of cinema, hence the idea was quite a challenge. He took the challenge and left to [[Madras]] (now [[Chennai]]) to learn techniques of film-making and to acquire necessary equipments. Madras was the budding centre of [[film production]] in [[South India]] and had the only permanent talkies in South India, named Gaiety which was established in 1912. However, he could not get what he wanted from Madras and was even denied permission to enter various studio premises in there. That didn't make him to give up. He travelled to [[Bombay]] (now [[Mumbai]]), the centre of [[Hindi cinema]] production.<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-pioneer/article5335492.ece |title = The pioneer|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 10 November 2013|last1 = Chelangad|first1 = Saju}}</ref> He asked the studio owners for entry claiming that he is a teacher from Kerala and wanted to teach his students about cinema and got entry to the studios there. He could gather enough knowledge and equipments for film production from Bombay and came back to [[Kerala]] to fulfil his dream. The film was finally shot in his own studio.<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/locations-in-thiruvananthapuram-that-have-become-familiar-images-in-malayalam-movies/article21572284.ece |title = Popular film locations in Thiruvananthapuram|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 14 December 2017|last1 = v. n|first1 = Aswin}}</ref>

In 1926, [[J.C. Daniel]] established the first [[film studio]] in [[Kerala]] named The Travancore National Pictures. It was near the present Public Service Commission office, [[Pattom]], [[Trivandrum]]. He made money for the purpose by selling a piece of land in his name for 4 lakh British Indian Rupees. With all set, he started production works of the film of his dreams. He wrote the script and titled it ''Vigathakumaran'' (literally translated as ''The Lost Child''). He directed and wielded the camera for the film, which was mute. He was also the protagonist in the film. He also did most of the post production work including [[film editing|editing]]. The theme of the film was of social significance and was one of the early films in that genre. Most of the Indian films at that time were based on stories from the [[puranas]] and films with social themes were scarce. The film was shot using a debrie camera.<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/tracing-evolution-of-malayalam-cinema/article21292834.ece | title=Tracing evolution of Malayalam cinema| newspaper=The Hindu| date=8 December 2017}}</ref>

The first [[Malayalam]] actress was a scheduled caste labourer named [[P K Rosy|P. K. Rosy]] from a place called Thayycaud near Trivandrum. The cinematographer of the film was Lala (a Britisher).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/flash_back/183596/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=4 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711020343/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/flash_back/183596/#storycontent |archive-date=11 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She used to come with lunch to act in the movie and go for her work in the evening. Daniel had earlier signed an actress from Bombay named Lana to act in the heroine role.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-forgotten-star/article5383387.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827052236/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-forgotten-star/article5383387.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 August 2017|title=The forgotten star - The Hindu|date=27 August 2017|access-date=27 August 2017|newspaper=The Hindu|last1=Chelangad|first1=Saju}}</ref> Another important role was played by Johnson, who is the father of actress B. S. Saroja. Daniel's friend Sundar Raj also acted in a pivotal role in the film.

== Release ==
[[File:Vigathakumaran Invitation Letter.jpg|thumbnail|Pre-release advertisement]]
The release date of the film is unknown. There are 2 dates proposed.<ref>{{Cite journal | url=http://www.epw.in/journal/2017/49/perspectives/casting-caste-dalit-identity-papilio-buddha-and-malayalam-cinema.html |title = Making a Show: The Black Money Bill, Making a Show: The Black Money Bill, Making a Show: The Black Money Bill, Making a Show: The Black Money Bill, Making a Show: The Black Money Bill, Casting Caste: Dalit Identity, Papilio Buddha, and Malayalam Cinema|journal = Economic and Political Weekly|volume = 50, 50, 50, 50, 50, 52|issue = 23, 23, 23, 23, 23, 49|pages = 7, 7, 7, 7, 7–8, 8, 8, 8, 8}}</ref>
The film was released on 7 November 1928.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/know/women-in-film-industry-no-level-playing-field/article9587679.ece | title=No level playing field}}</ref> ''Vigathakumaran'' was exhibited in [[Trivandrum]] at the Capitol Theatre at 6:30 p.m. on 23 October 1930.<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/23/stories/2005102311400400.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018215220/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/23/stories/2005102311400400.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=18 October 2015 | newspaper=[[The Hindu]] | title=His pioneering effort set the cameras rolling| date=23 October 2005}}</ref> The theatre was located opposite the present day AG's office near the present day State Legislature Building in the centre of Thiruvananthapuram city. The screening was inaugurated by Adv. Malloor Govinda Pillai. Since it was a silent movie, there was an announcer at the theatre who would explain the story and the situation. Despite being the first film made in Kerala and the social significance of the film, it faced the wrath of certain [[Nambudiri|Hindu orthodox]] groups in [[Kerala]], due to the presence of a woman in the film. At that time acting in films were considered as an act at par with prostitution.<ref name="Biography">cinemaofmalayalam.net - [http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/jcdaniel.html Biography] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606225929/http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/jcdaniel.html |date=6 June 2009 }}</ref> It was a period when female roles in even theatre were played by males. When ''Vigathakumaran'' was released at Capitol Cinema in Thiruvananthapuram, she was not allowed into the theatre as [[Brahmin|upper-caste Hindus]], outraged that a converted dalit could play a [[Nair]] lady in the film, created a ruckus. During the screening, stones were pelt on the screen, damaging it.<ref name="Rosie">[http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/14/stories. /2010081451180200.htm "New media misrepresents role of women: Kumar Shahani"]. ''The Hindu''. 14 August 2010.</ref> The movie was also exhibited in [[Alleppey]] at the Star Theatre. Alleppey being one of the most important port towns in Kerala during that time, the audience were more tolerant. They received the movie with exhilaration. There was a minor glitch when the screen faded and the audience booed. The announcer explained that since this is the first Malayalam film, there will be some minor problems and the audience received the statement with applause. It is said that J.C.Daniel himself came to Alleppey with the film box, since there was only one print. The film was also screened at [[Quilon]], [[Trichur]], [[Tellichery]] and [[Nagercoil]]. The film did only a moderate business at the [[box office]] and the collections were way less than the expenditure.

Females acting in films or theatre were considered at par with prostitution at the time. Angry at a Dalit lady portraying an upper caste Nair on screen,<ref name="Biography"/> some of the orthodox people burned down the heroine, Rosy's hut. She fled to [[Tamil Nadu]] where she got married and spent the rest of her life. Nobody knows the whereabouts of Rosy after she left Trivandrum.<ref name="Rosie"/> It was only recently that her photo was retrieved from Malloor Govinda Pillai's diaries.

After the film's failure at the box office, Daniel suffered from debts and to overcome the situation, he had to sell his equipments and close down his studio.<ref name="Biography"/><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/books/regional-cinema-matters-beyond-bollywood-looks-at-rich-history-of-south-indian-cinema/story-I9OCHd2qrFGxMDv43wX4KI.html |title = Regional cinema matters: Beyond Bollywood looks at rich history of south Indian cinema|date = 12 October 2017}}</ref> Despite the setbacks, Daniel went on to make one more film, a documentary on martial arts, ''Adithadi Murai''. He was completely bankrupt after the completion of this film. Almost a pauper, he left Trivandrum to seek a livelihood. Daniel spent the rest of his life as a dentist at [[Palayamkottai]], [[Madurai]] and [[Karaikudi]].

The Kerala Government initially refused to give Daniel any honour because [[J.C. Daniel]] was born and also later settled in [[Kanyakumari district]] which later became a part of [[Tamil Nadu]], in 1956. The Government's version was that if Daniel wanted any financial assistance, he had to apply for it from the Tamil Nadu Government. At the far end of his life, he had told R. Kumaraswamy, the editor of the film magazine ''Nana'': "Malayalam cinema is a thriving industry now. But never have anyone bothered to recognise me as someone who made a film all by himself in those days. As for the new generation, they don't know me. But it is not their fault, I soothe myself." Long after Daniel's death in 1975, as an afterthought or penance, the Kerala Government instituted the [[J. C. Daniel Award]] in 1992, as a part of the [[Kerala State Film Awards]], to honour lifetime achievements in [[Malayalam cinema]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/history-in-retrospect/article5433586.ece |title = History in retrospect|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 8 December 2013|last1 = Chelangad|first1 = Saju}}</ref> Daniel is now known as ''the father of Malayalam cinema''. The failure of Vigathakumaran is attributed to it being a silent film.<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-lost-life-revisited/article4515992.ece |title = 'The Lost Life' Revisited|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 17 March 2013|last1 = Anand|first1 = Shilpa Nair}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
A lot of literary and cinematic works have been made, based on the life of [[J. C. Daniel]] and the making of ''Vigathakumaran''. ''Nashta Nayika'' is a novel by Vinu Abraham which details the life of P. K. Rosy, the heroine of ''Vigathakumaran''.<ref name=Celluloid1>Saraswathy Nagarajan (11 October 2012). [http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/flashback-in-tinsel-town/article3987337.ece "Flashback in tinsel town"]. ''The Hindu''. Retrieved 11 May 2013.</ref> The film was remade in 2003.<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2003/03/15/stories/2003031504780200.htm | newspaper=[[The Hindu]] | title=New look to first film| date=15 March 2003}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In 2013, [[Kamal (director)|Kamal]] wrote and directed a biopic on [[J.C. Daniel]] titled ''[[Celluloid (film)|Celluloid]]''. The film details the struggles of Daniel to produce and exhibit ''Vigathakumaran'', while plunging into financial crisis.<ref name=Celluloid1/> The film, based partially on the novel ''Nashta Naayika'' by Vinu Abraham and the ''Life of J. C. Daniel'', a biography by film journalist Chelangat Gopalakrishnan, also deals with the life of Rosy, the lead actress in ''Vigathakumaran''.<ref name=Celluloid1/> [[Prithviraj Sukumaran|Prithviraj]] plays the role of Daniel, while [[Mamta Mohandas]] plays his wife Janet and newcomer Chandni plays Rosy.<ref name=Celluloid1/> The film generated criticism over its subtle reference to an [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS Officer]] and the then [[Chief Minister of Kerala|Kerala Chief Minister]], which purportedly points to the bureaucrat and writer [[Malayattoor Ramakrishnan|Malayattoor Ramakrishna Iyer]] and [[K. Karunakaran]], who allegedly worked together to deny [[J. C. Daniel]] credit for his contribution to Malayalam cinema since he was a Nadar (Christian).<ref name=Celluloid2>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/barbs-in-celluloid-lead-to-bloodletting/article4446883.ece "Barbs in ‘Celluloid’ lead to bloodletting"]. ''The Hindu''. Retrieved 11 May 2013.</ref><ref>[http://gulfnews.com/news/world/india/row-over-kerala-award-winning-film-celluloid-1.1149899 "Row over Kerala award-winning film ‘Celluloid’"]. ''Gulf News''. Retrieved 11 May 2013.</ref> Author and civil servant [[N. S. Madhavan]] and [[D. Babu Paul]], former Chief Secretary of Kerala have pointed out factual inaccuracies in the film's depiction of Malayattoor and Karunakaran.<ref name=Celluloid2/><ref>[http://www.dcbooks.com/n-s-madhavan-against-celluloid-movie.html "N S Madhavan against Celluloid movie"]. [[DC Books]]. Retrieved 11 May 2013.</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0215336}}

[[Category:Lost Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian silent films]]
[[Category:1930 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
[[Category:1930 drama films]]
[[Category:1930 films]]
[[Category:Indian drama films]]
[[Category:1930 lost films]]

Vigathakumaran - Revision history

imported>Ken Tony: Link corrected